Pure CORBA

C++ Smart Pointer Types _var

This section introduces the idea of _var types in the C++ mapping. For almost all CORBA types, apart from some of the basic types, the C++ mapping defines a corresponding _var type. For each IDL type T, a class T_var is generated by the C++ mapping.

The main purpose of the _var types is to assist the C++ programmer with memory management, and in particular to help avoid memory leaks. The _var types also have some additional features, including helper methods that can simplify parameter passing in CORBA operations.

This section begins with an explanation for the concept of a smart pointer. The _var type for managing CORBA strings, CORBA::String_var, is then presented before discussing the general properties of _var ...